Living for God’s Plan by Justin Mears

Today’s Passage – Genesis 45 – 47 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 7 – 8Proverbs 18Psalms 86 – 90)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – James 4:10

Read a previous post from this passage – “The Big Picture

“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years [hath] the famine [been] in the land: and yet [there are] five years, in the which [there shall] neither [be] earing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 So now [it was] not you [that] sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” (Genesis 45:5)

When I read this passage and see Joseph’s mindset, I can’t help but wonder how a man who had been wronged by so many people could have had such great peace? How could he even care for his brothers after what they had done to him? Even to say such words to them like: “don’t be grieved or angry with yourselves.” After a lot of thought and consideration I believe there are at least three characteristics of Joseph that helped him move through the storms of life with unshattered faith in God and His plan.

1st  – Joseph was living for something bigger than himself. Before he was ever thrown in the pit, sold into slavery, or put in prison, he wanted to serve God, which made him a faithful servant to everyone he found himself under the authority of. He recognized that he was just a vessel in God’s grand plan.

“These [are] the generations of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father’s wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.” (Genesis 37:2)

2nd – He saw the spiritual before the physical. He recognized that it was not any person that put him in Potiphar’s house, or prison, but God who sent him there. He knew it was the calling of God on his life that placed him in these predicaments. He realized it wasn’t about blaming anyone. He understood it wasn’t what he saw but instead what he couldn’t see.

“[There is] none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou [art] his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9)

3rd  – He had the ability to be content in any situation that God put him in. Every time the plans changed, he changed. He actually excelled and flourished in every circumstance. He was adaptable. He didn’t spend time trying to alter his circumstances or wallow in the misery of them. He recognized God’s will was moving him and it was time to adapt. 

“And his master saw that the LORD [was] with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all [that] he had he put into his hand.” (Genesis 39:3)

Has God placed some undesirable circumstances in you life? How are we handling it? Does your desire to live for God come before everything else? Are we living for something bigger than ourselves?

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

 Are we seeing things with the eyes of faith? Or are we getting caught up with all the things that we see. Are we remembering the spiritual warfare or are we getting distracted by the winds and waves as Peter did as he walked on water to Jesus in the storm? 

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].” (Ephesians 6:12)

Do you find yourself running away from the adversity or trying to hide and wait it out, or are you adapting to the challenges God has placed in your path? Are you rising to the occasion, or are you still trying to change things back to the way you want them? Can you be content and thrive in any situation God puts you in like Joseph?

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.” (Philippians 4:11)

The Mears Family

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Phil Erickson
Admin
3 years ago

Good Stuff!

Issan Acosta
Issan Acosta
3 years ago

Amen!!

Cindy Erickson
Cindy Erickson
3 years ago

That’s real good Justin.

Last edited 3 years ago by cindyerickson
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